Prologue: End of the mission
Ada stared blankly out of the window as the chopper flew away from the island. It wasn't long before she heard the explosion, signaling the destruction of the island. She breathed a sigh of relief at the sound...In a way, it signaled the end of one long nightmare.
Of course, she had gotten herself into it. .She had accepted the mission in the first place. But it was all part of the plan...Things were falling into place already. The case containing the plagas was on her lap...Yet something was still bothering her about the mission..more than one thing, really...Leon for one, though she was fairly sure he'd gotten out...He was resourceful. The other was Krauser...if he had survived the first time he'd fought with someone...Could he have survived through the fight with her?
It was certainly a possibility...One that she hoped would turn out to be nothing more than her own paranoia...The prospect of Krauser being alive wasn't a good one...Especially since he could hold a grudge for quite awhile...But if he did show up, she could easily have him disposed of. That was a plus to being of a high rank...you could have others do your dirty work.
Then there was Wesker...Pretending to work with him had been interesting to say the least...Frustrating at times as well. Her main concern would be what he would do when he realized that he didn't have the plagas, but rather a sample of one of the newer viruses created by the Organization...Which one, she didn't know, but knowing Wesker, it would already be part of his collection. She didn't want him losing it just yet...That would really screw things up...So maybe she could play both sides for a bit...
It could mean everything would be ruined..but she would have to risk it...She couldn't have Wesker getting out of hand..He was still an important part in her plans. So, what to do? Play the double agent, and get him a sample of the plagas? Or continue as she had, pulling the puppet strings from behind the scenes? Both ideas were tempting, and both had equal chance of success, and failure...So, which was more her style?
A grin crept to her lips as she made up her mind. The double agent sounded fun...But an even better idea was a triple agent...She could have Wesker so busy dealing with the third party that all she'd have to was make sure the organaization stayed in the dark about it all until her plans fell into place.
This in mind she turned away from the window and went over things in her head..now to find the STARS members...she had information that she was sure they were just dying to know.
Chapter 1: Trust Worthy?
Chris couldn't believe what he was hearing. The woman in front of him claimed to know where Wesker was, and what he was planning. The fact that she knew of Wesker was odd enough, even stranger that she knew of the viruses. but the strangest was that she wanted to help him...Or at least to help him find Wesker. The problem was: Could she be trusted? That was always the question when dealing with someone who knew about Wesker. Because it could easily be a trap set up by Wesker...
"Okay, Miss...?" he said, unable to remember her name.
"Amy Wells," The woman said, brushing her short black hair away from her eyes. There was nothing to suggest that she was lying. Though he wasn't convinced that was her real name. Oh well..Time to figure that out later...For now he needed the info on Wesker, be it true or false.
"What is it that you know about Albert Wesker?"
"Hmm, where to begin." She replied, smirking, "He worked with the STARS in 1998, as Captain. After the incident in Raccoon city he was presumed dead. You found that to be wrong I believe. He had a hand in what went on in spain a few months ago, and he is now currently part of an Organization, comprised of old Umbrella staff members." She paused for moment, watching his shocked expression with amusement, "Is that sufficient?"
Chris nodded. She was certainly talking about the same Wesker... "So Miss Wells...Why exactly do you want me to know the information you claim to have, and how do you know about Wesker?"
"That," She said, "Is a long story that we'll skip for now. However, I know about Wesker because I work with him." She smiled wickedly as Chris's features changed from relaxed to furious in a matter of seconds.
"What?" She asked innocently, "You going to hold that against me? You yourself worked for, or rather, under him."
Chris stared at her for a moment, "So who's to say this isn't a trap? Hmm? A way to get me to a place where you could easily kill me?"
Her lips curved into an almost wolfish smile, "Well you'll just have to watch your back, won't you?"
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"So let me get this straight," Claire said as she watched her brother gathering things, mostly guns, "She claims to know where Wesker is AND that she works for him? Either she's lying or it's a trap, Chris."
Chris ignored her and continued going about grabbing things here and there.
"Are you even listening to me?" When she still got nothing but silence as an answer, she sighed, "You always were blind when it came to a pretty woman."
That got his attention, "Look Claire...This is the first clue I've gotten to where Wesker might be. Now, to ease your worrying a bit, Jill is coming with me, and one of your old aquaintences, Leon. They should be here soon."
"What do you mean 'they're going with you'? I'm coming to."
Chris shook his head, "No. And don't argue. I don't have time to argue. We're supposed to meet that woman in half an hour. And She said she wasn't going to wait around if we were late."
There was a knock at the front door. Claire, glaring at her brother, went to open it. As she had expected, it was Leon and Jill. "Come right in." She said with a sarcastic tone in her voice, "Chris is almost ready to go to the asylum."
Jill gave her a small smile, "You really think he's that sane? I always thought he should be put out of his misery for being so crazy."
Leon chuckled quietly at them before saying "Hey Claire. Long time no see."
And indeed it had been a long time. Months, in fact. Claire smiled at him and moved out of the way so they could enter the house. Chris seemed oblivious to the fact that anyone had arrived and was still rushing about, making sure he had everything. Jill leaned against the wall, watching him,
"Having fun, Sugar?" She said, smiling. knowing that "sugar" would get his attention.
He turned to face her, "Yeah." He replied, "Loads." He set the gun he had in his hand down and went over to her, "How've you been?"
She smirked at him, "How do you think? You never call, never write, and then when you finally do, it's to tell me that you need my help with Wesker..."
Chris winced as she spoke, but didn't reply, "And you Leon? how're you?"
"Alot better than I will be when we get back...The government doesn't exactly take kindly to people just leaving when they feel like it..but, hey, anything for a friend." Leon replied, leaning against the wall.
Claire stood back and glared at them all, "So you're not going to try and stop him? Are you guys insane?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Leon said, grinning at her.
"Not funny Leon." She snapped, "I can't believe you're going to help him with this! If anything you should be trying to talk sense into him!"
"Claire," Jill sighed, "I tried that a long time ago..doesn't work...You of all people should know that. Besides...Each one of us has a bone to pick with Wesker...Or at least Chris and I do...We all have reason to want to go."
"Then why can't I come along?" Said Claire, throwing evil looks at her older brother, "I have just as much reason as any of you."
"We already discussed that Claire.." Chris said with a slightly impaitient tone in his voice.
"No we didn't." She replied, "I suggested it, you said no...that's not a discussion."
"Well when I said no, I meant it. you are not coming."
Leon and Jill traded amused glances...It was typical of the siblings to bicker like this.
"God damn it, Chris!" Claire finally shouted, "I don't give a fuck if it's to dangerous or not! I am going, and you are not going to stop me!" Glaring defiantly at her brother, Claire started gathering her things.
Chris watched her, shoulders sagging as he sighed.
Jill laughed at him, "Oh come on, don't tell me you thought you could actually leave her behind?"
"I had hopes." said Chris.
"Looks like she squashed 'em good," Leon said, chuckling, "Besides, she can hold her own...She lived through Raccoon didn't she?"
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Ada paced back and forth. The STARS weren't late, but she was bored. She thought she'd pulled off the first part of her plan rather well. The disguise of 'Amy Wells' had served it's purpose well enough...If Wesker managed to capture any of them..They wouldn't have any other name to give him. And he wouldn't know who they were talking about...and by time he figured it out, it would be to late for him to stop her. She grinned at this prospect, watching for any sign of the STARS.
Then she saw them, approaching in a blue pickup...And her hopes of continuing to use her fake name vanished when she saw one of the people sitting in the back...Leon...Of all the times to run into him. She was glad to see that he was safe, yes..but this would put both their lives in danger...
The truck pulled to a stop in front of her and the occupants clambered out..Leon had yet to notice her.
"Finally." she said.." and I thought there were only going to be three of you." As she had expected, Leon froze at the sound of her voice. But he didn't turn to face her.
"Chris" he said, "What did you say our guide's name was again."
"Amy Wells.." said the other man, looking puzzled, "why?"
Leon laughed, dropped the box he had been holding, and turned to face her, "I should have known. Working for Wesker, taking us to him...the intials A.W...So obvious...But as always, I didn't quite catch it. Nice to see you again, by the way."
"Did I miss something?" said one of the women, Jill, looking confused.
The Redfields simply looked back and forth between Leon and Ada, identical looks of utter puzzlement on their faces.
"Hello again, Handsome." Ada replied, trying to sound playful, but failing. Then taking on a serious tone she said "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help."
"Not anymore...You're not going."
"What!?"
Claire turned to Chris.."didn't you and I have this conversation not 20 minutes ago?"
Chris nodded at her, and stepped towards the two who were about to start arguing. "okay, would one of you please tell me what the hell is going on?"
Both of them sighed. May as well. Leon thought, as Ada was thinking: if he lives through this, I'll kill him..just for being so damn stubborn.
"You want the truth?" Ada asked, "Fine. My name is Ada Wong, not Amy. Yes I work for Wesker...I know Leon because of past missions...Happy?"
There was silence for a moment as they all thought. Ada glanced from each one to another, her eyes lingering on Leon, and vice versa. She shook her head. She had to keep things going smoothly, which meant she had to be the cold hard professional...To bad that wasn't working out so well at the moment.
so what else has she lied about? Claire thought, watching the woman who claimed to be called 'Ada'...Leon had mentioned her...But very rarely, the few times they had seen each other after Raccoon...It was hard to get him to talk about that at all, but Ada even more so...And now she had shown up...Claire couldn't help but feel slightly jealous..Ada had been enough of a barrier to get past when presumed dead..alive was even worse...but then...she's been gone for all this time...the thought cheered her up for a moment, then she remembered something, He wasn't that surprised to see her...he knew she was alive. He's seen her recently...
"Are you going to come along or not?" Ada asked after awhile, "If so, we have to be going...now."
Chris sighed, and said, "How do we know you're not lying?"
"You didn't before,yet you were still going to trust me." Ada said with a smirk.
"She's got you there." Said Leon, "I, for one, still intend to go...You guys gonna come with me?" Hearing this made up Claire's mind; she was going. "Count me in" she said. Jill nodded in agreement.
Seeing and hearing everyone's willingness to go, Chris said, "fine. But I'll be keeping a close eye on you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
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Three hours later, they were all on a small plane, where it was going, Ada wouldn't say, and she dodged the question every time it was asked. Jill found herself wondering about the woman, and her history with Leon, but didn't ask about it. Both of them had been amazingly elusive on the subject when Claire had asked, and Jill doubted she'd get any better answers. She watched clouds go by as she wondered what they'd find in Wesker's newest hideout, and she wondered what had happened to Rebecca. the youngest of her friends had disappeared a few months ago, without saying anything..not in person anyway. She had sent Jill and Chris each a letter saying something about knowing where someone was, that she had to get to him. They doubted she had meant Wesker, if she had, she would have asked for their help. but not once had she said the name of the person she had located. That was the last they'd heard from her, and Jill wondered if she was safe.
They had tried searching for her of course, but her apartment had been left as it always had been. nothing was gone, except for a few items of clothing. The rest was the same. They had asked any of her friends in the bulding if they knew where she'd gone, not one of them had any clue. She glanced at Ada, who was sitting near the front of the plane, staring absently out her window. She had a sad, far away look in her eyes, as though she was remembering something she preferred not to. Turning away from Ada, Jill caught Chris's gaze. No words were needed between then to know what the other was thinking. There was more to all of this than Ada was telling them, and if they didn't find out, they could very well end up dead. Claire was remaining amazingly silent. It was clear that she didn't like their host, nor did she like the fact that Leon knew her, and was on speaking terms with her. She had barely said more than ten words to Ada since they borded the plane, and hadn't said a single word to Leon. Not that Leon listened to anything anything anyone said anyway. He, like Ada, was looking absently out the window, lost in his thoughts. No one bothered to try and get his attention.
As if Claire had heard Jill's earlier thoughts, she suddenly said, "I wonder if Rebecca's okay..."
No one answered, not that Claire had expected them to. They all remained silent for the remainder of the trip, which lasted another 4 hours. All but Ada and Claire were asleep when the flight ended. "Where are we?" Claire asked, as the plane got lower and lower.
"This is one of the many Umbrella bases." Ada replied, "But since no one is here, it's relativeley safe. If you avoid the creatures...see, they're why no one is here. Umbrella learned a while ago it's smarter to make sure your scientists and experiments are separate until you need to use them for something."
She leaned over and shook Leon awake, while Claire did the same with Chris and Jill.
"Though we'll have to keep a close eye out..You never know when they'll decide they need a creature."
The plane touched the ground, and Ada thanked the pilot, then got off, beckoning for the group to follow, while she grinned in a rather evil way. Suggesting that there was more about this place than she was telling them.